1916 25C MS63 Full Head PCGS. Although both the Walking
Liberty half dollar and Standing Liberty quarter debuted in 1916,
one saw a major redesign in 1917, the other a minor one. The D and
S mintmarks on the half dollar were moved from the 1916 obverse to
the reverse on some 1917-dated pieces, but otherwise the design
remained the same. The bare-breasted, full-length Liberty on the
quarters of 1916 was more martial in appearance than on the half
dollar, holding a shield in one hand, an olive branch in the other.
On the redesign of 1917, Liberty's chest was covered with a
more-military chain-mail coat (World War I was raging at the time);
the redesigned reverse shows three of the 13 stars formerly at the
sides moved beneath the eagle, which was consequently shifted
upward in the field. There are other subtle design changes as
well.
Although the 1916 Standing Liberty quarter is a member of a
two-year type along with the 1917-PDS Type One issues, the
low-mintage 1916 is much in demand from set completists as well as
aficionados of key coins in general. This remarkably well-preserved
example appears much finer than one might expect from the grade.
The surfaces are bright and nearly brilliant with just a hint of
golden at the margins. The strike details are strong throughout, as
expected, and the mattelike surfaces show no obvious or detracting
abrasions.(Registry
values: N4719) (NGC ID# 242Y, PCGS# 5705)